LITTLE ROCK  Severe weather will be possible around the state from now into next week, the National Weather Service in Little Rock said.

John Robinson, warning coordination meterologist with the weather service, said Thursday that the threat of thunderstorms will begin this afternoon and remain through mid-evening. While nothing is assured, he said, thunderstorms are most likely in the central and northeast parts of the state.

While damaging winds are the primary threat, an isolated tornado can't be ruled out, Robinson added.

Residents through the western quarter of the state can expect 1/4 to 1/2-inch rainfall, while in other areas 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches of rain is possible, with the largest amounts coming in the eastern part of the state.

As far as storms in the latter part of the week, a cold front is expected to enter the northwest part of the state Friday and sweep across the state, slowing around a line from Texarkana, through Little Rock and up to Jonesboro, Robinson said.

On Saturday afternoon, the southeastern part of the state could see heavy storms.

With the cold air with the front, the weather service said freezing rain is possible in parts of Northwest Arkansas from late Saturday night until Sunday morning.

Rainfall around the state could be up to as much as 4 inches from Saturday morning to Monday morning, with a chance of flash flood warnings and watches as a result.